Story Tags

To See the World in a Grain of Salt

Microhistory Books Looking at Small Things With Big Impacts

Naturally, it’s important to study the grand, sweeping moments of history and analyze why they were so eventful—they were grand moments for a reason, after all. But it can be equally enlightening to practice microhistory, the study of a smaller unit of research, often a single person, family, event or village in excruciating detail so as to extrapolate larger questions about history, humanity and social change during a particular period.

50th Anniversary of Woodstock

Sullivan County, N.Y., is putting up 36 giant fiberglass doves around the county, so you know something is up. It seems they are preparing for millions of visitors in 2019 because all these years later, people are still talking about something that happened there many years ago…

C.R. Gibbs Winter Lecture Series

Join author, C.R. Gibbs for his Winter Lecture series at the Deanwood Neighborhood Library in February and March. The award-winning historian, humanities scholar and exhibitor of artifacts has appeared at DC Public Library since 1989. He has spoken at the Smithsonian's Anacostia Museum, Arena Stage, colleges/universities and other venues locally, nationally and internationally.

I Hope You're Hungry!

My husband says that Pennsylvania's state motto should be "I hope you're hungry," since everywhere you go there, someone is usually trying to feed you. I should know - many of those folks are my relatives. In addition to food books, I have also included books on beverages. After all, you might get a bit thirsty while "eating" these suggested titles!

Cover of The History of Gallaudet University

See What I'm Saying?

A Read Feed dedicated to Deaf culture and American Sign Language!

DC's Wild, Wondrous Heart

Ecological, Historical & Poetic Explorations of Rock Creek Park

When many people think of our nation's capital, they focus on its political life. Yet residents here know our city environment encompasses much more than federal politics. At its heart lies my favorite area, Rock Creek Park. Over double the size of Central Park, it includes forests, streams, hills, fields, recreational and historical sites. Here residents and tourists can escape from urban stress, slow down, engage in recreation, and commune with nature.

Take to the Seas!

Nautical Novels & Nonfiction

They say that the sea is a cruel mistress, harsh and fickle. But she is also alluring, holding a beautiful, spellbinding power over many of us that can define entire lives, communities and even empires. Whether you like to keep a respectful distance from the shore or dive headfirst under the waves, it’s hard to deny the power of a good sea song. Below are a few titles that capture the mystery, danger, and grandeur of the ocean, from heart-wrenching to historical, fact to fantasy.

Doomed to Repeat It

History You Won't Forget

There are some books that change our lives and we always remember the first time we read them. History books are not usually in that category, but the stories we tell about ourselves and others can dramatically reshape the way we see the world. This can be because the facts in the books are ones we were never presented with before. Or histories can rock our sense of reality because they highlight a narrative or pattern we never saw before. They may help us make new sense of the confusing present. This is a list of histories that did that for me and I hope will for you, too.

Kids' American History Reads

In coordination with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Read about America with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History! These picture and chapter books are wonderful family reads and are a great tool to help your family develop a sense of home and aspiration for the future of the country. Whether you're a history buff or just avoiding summer slide, these picks will move you, inspire you, and wrap you up in a world that was, so that you can help to decide what the world will become. Picture Books